The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-04-20
NETHART NEWS.
An Encouraging Outlook at the Leading
Camp of the Belt Mountains.


Editor of the River Press:
There is some little excitement in camp
which will probably result in. producing
better times ere long
The board of commits sioners of Meagher
county have agreed to appropriate 81, 800
towards the building of bridges and MAX
ing passable road on Belt creek to Judge
Payne's ranch, if the citizens and others
interested would contribute the balance
nece essary to make the road passable,
which will require at least that much
more. A meeting of the citizens, which
was largely attended, was held on the
evening of the 29th ult, at which L. A.
Wall, chairman of the board, was present,
who stated that the county was not able
to make larger appropriation out of this
years taxes, as the estimated road tax for
the year was only about st, 900 and that
other sections of the county were entitled
to portion of this amount, and that this
section was getting its full quota. 1t was
resolved at the meeting to give the re-
quired aid, and many subscribed literally
in cash and work. Mr.. Wall stated he
had an unexpended amount of some $3.50
contributed by the merchants Of Fort Ben
ton, which he would apply towards the
object. This project will help Fort Ben
ton commercially, as people here prefer to
trade there than anywhere else. The road
leading to White Sulphur Springs and
Townsend is for several months in the
year impossible for freight teams, and the
stage company can hardly carry the mail
and passengers coming over the route dur
ing this period, without attempting to
carry freight. have heard many of the
prominent citizens say they would have
preferred to have done more trading with
your merchants, but the road through
Belt park was about eqnally as impassable
as the one over the range to the Springs,
and during the past winter your merchants
were short of the most substantial sup
plies in consequence of short navigation
on the Missouri river last season. If this
road is completed in time all the bullion
from the Hudson Mining company IS more
than likely to 60 by Benton for transpor-
tation east, as the teams can haul coke
back. 1t is the determination of the par
ties having the matter in charge to hurry
the road to completion at the earliest pos
sible period, and if they @an get sufficient
funds the road and bridges ought to be
completed early in June, unless high wa
ter prevents.
The tramway leading from the compa-
ny's mines is nearly completed, and in a
few days the concentrator will start and
run steadily. 1t is said the SIN melter and
concentrator will be run under the direc-
ton of Prof. Grenier. The Prof. is a
thorough chemist and probably has no su-
perior in this or adjoining terr itories. He
has made two successful runs with the ores
here which are considered as among the
most difficult to work. He came very
nearly at one time making an engagement
to run the Barker smelter, which, if he
had, doubtless that institution would not
be dormant to-day.
Pete Farenbach has sold one-half in
terest in the London lode to l.. Rotwitt of
White Sulphur Springs for $4,000.
There are considerable inquiries by
correspondence from outside parties and
capital in regard to mines here. Owners
of mines are not holding their property at
as extravagant figures as they did, being
willing to allow capital chance to devel-
op their prospects.
There are some prospects being devel-
oped which are showing up well. am
reliably informed that Marsh e Rafferty,
have struck good, large rich streak of
ore which promises to hold out.
If everything goes off satisfactorily in
the camp there will be many claims de-
veloped during the summer, as holders
can realize for extracted ores by selling
to the Smelter co. which would not bear
the expense of shipping.
There is talk of two milk daires being
started to supply the camp, which ought
to pay, or one good one.
At present there is no demand for labor
more than the camp is able to supply.
They are about organizing school dis
trict, which will add much to the charac-
ter of the camp. A suburban town called
Jericho, in which all the works are situa-
ted. and this place are rivaling as to which
place should have the school. They do
not appear to be able to compromise and
have the school midway. "Jericho"
claims the majority of children necessary
10 be educated and equal in adult popula-
ton 10 Nellart. bur the latter on account
of age demands precedence and education.
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Northern Pacific Branches.